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How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum will help you save time and hassle when it comes to regular cleaning. Top performers are good at getting rid of dust, light debris and cords.
The more expensive ones can even mop your floor, but they can't climb up stairs. Find models that feature intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and large self cleaning vacuum-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots in our testing are efficient and user-friendly, and are able to cope with everyday debris. You'll need a model with decent carpet-picking capability and the ability to take on stairs. And, if you're looking for extra features, you may be interested in a robot equipped with smart mapping technology or an app that lets you control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tested dozens of robotic vacuums. She prefers the robovacs with the most features, such as those that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums robot. She's also a fan of the robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords to ensure they don't get tripped up when climbing the stairs.
This Black and Decker robot has a lower score for navigation and has less object-avoidance technology than the top-rated models. It does however have an enormous dust bin that doesn't need frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. It also comes with an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions, and return to where it was last. This makes it easier to take care of larger homes. This model is a great choice for pet owners, since it is able to avoid tangled fur and food particles.
In our tests we tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines an LIDAR sensor that can map rooms and see obstacles with a structured light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. This combination lets it stay clear of stairs, drops of liquid and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for reference. It is able to stop and restart the cleaning process at any point, so that you can continue doing chores while it does. The included app offers an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels, and more advanced cleaning options.
Although this model isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it excels in removing small particles such as baking soda and sand and heavier items like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. Its only downsides are that it's not able to mop and that its navigation system is less impressive.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, choose an automatic vacuum (head to Timeoftheworld) that has a high score for carpet and rug mobility and pickup. A lot of models do a great job of removing dust that has been embedded in carpets with a low pile and a few do a good job of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. They can't take in small particles like an upright canister, and could miss dirt that is close to baseboards or thresholds.
For most carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best option. You can swap out a cleaning bin for a moist mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop that can clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads that spin at 200 revolutions per minute. It detects and lifts the pads when it comes into contact with carpet to prevent wetting the floor. You don't need to remove or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums/mops when it comes to keeping away from obstacles and getting close to rugs and thresholds.
Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which performed very well in our tests and can be scheduled via the app to clean while you're away from home. It can be set to only mop and we were impressed by its impressive navigation on both carpets and floors and its ability to go over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long runtime and a great path-planning feature for such a small device.
If you're looking to buy a high-tech vacuum that is high-tech, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great option. It has a large dock that can last for weeks without having to be empty. It also has amazing navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to be operational during certain times of the day (a useful feature that can keep mischievous kids and dextrous pets from causing havoc). The Shark isn't as powerful as other mop/robot combination models however it still manages to pick up pet hair and hair with a high degree of accuracy. It's also the most affordable price of our top picks.
Best for Hard Flooring
cheap robot vacuum cleaner vacuums are the ideal pick for hardwood floors because they are able to easily navigate around obstacles without damaging bare surfaces. They are great in removing dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They don't have the suction power of a top-of-the-line upright or canister vacuum, so they're not the ideal choice for carpeted rooms or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.
The most effective robots are those that come with two-in-one features, combining a vacuum with a mop to complete the job in one step. If you have flooring that is mixed you should look for models with an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor's texture and adjusts suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to effortlessly transition from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If your home is composed of hardwood floors, you should consider a robotic vacuum and mop combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model features an efficient robot vacuum with smart navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it has the ability to mop as well. The sensors in it allow it to avoid dangers like stairs.
The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, not simply swab them to get rid of dirt and dust. The mop pads that are reusable reduce the amount of waste, and make it less likely to spread germs, and can be cleaned in the docking station, saving your time. The mop pads can also be cleaned and dried to prevent the spread of mold.
The robovac is operated by your smartphone, making it much easier to use. For instance, you can make use of the app to designate an area where the vacuum can't go or mark rooms as separate or schedule cleaning times for specific areas. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock, which collects debris through a trapdoor and is then stored in a disposable or bagless bin, meaning you don't have to empty the bin manually like you do with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
As the name suggests that these robots are to be used in small spaces. They have smaller bins, which hold less garbage. They are also more efficient when it comes to moving around corners more efficiently as opposed to larger models. They can also be placed under furniture where larger robots can't reach. These robots are also cheaper than more expensive models, however you will need to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end of each cleaning session.
A couple of years ago, robotic vacuum cleaner amazon vacuums underwent a major transformation when manufacturers started adding sensors to help them navigate and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would become stuck on or over. This has have reduced the number of times our testers needed to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was a power cord, a toy or pet waste.
However, the latest sensors haven't solved all of these machines' problems. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same issues that the older ones faced and most require a certain amount of light to be able see where they're headed. If you live in a dark house or have lots of furniture that is low-profile, think about buying a model that utilizes top-mounted spinning laser units to map your space as our top overall and runner-up picks do. This allows them to work in the dark and avoid obstacles such as stairs.
In addition being able to work in the dark they can also be set to use their cliff sensors only on or near the floor, not above them. It is still recommended to cover any mirrors that could interfere with this function, though, as the laser used by a LIDAR-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it is in another room.
Some of the models we recommend allow you to set up virtual no-go zones in areas where you don't want the robot to go, which is useful if you have small pets or children. These features aren't offered on all of the models we test so make sure to go through our complete reviews of the choices below before making your purchase.